Alberta Health Services has purchased 250 handheld testing devices in hopes of speeding up testing for COVID-19.

Spartan Bioscience Inc. is an Ontario-based company that specializes in DNA detection technology. They are in the late stages of developing a handheld device that they say is capable of confirming test results for COVID-19 in less than an hour.

Health Canada still needs to approve the rapid testing kits, with approval anticipated within the next few weeks.

Then starting next month, AHS is expected to start receiving the testing devices, which will be distributed to healthcare facilities outside of the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton. AHS will eventually receive 250 of the devices and 100,000 testing kits, at a cost of $9.5 million.

The devices will be used in addition to lab testing currently being done by AHS and are expected to help get faster testing done in rural and remote communities.

“Alberta has been one of the fastest jurisdictions in the world for testing of COVID-19," says Minster of Health Tyler Shandro. "However, the threat to the health of all Albertans remains. We have recognized a gap in our testing and I am pleased AHS is working swiftly with industry to find ways to ensure rapid testing for the virus is accessible for people in rural and remote communities. This investment will ensure we can maintain our rapid pace in testing and alleviate pressures on our front-line workers with quick result confirmations.”

AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu says COVID-19 is placing significantly increased demands on the lab capacity.

“This new technology will supplement our current testing efforts and give AHS the ability to provide timely testing and results to more Albertans in more communities," Yiu says. "This will help guide appropriate care and isolation, speed up our contact tracing, and reduce the risk of further spread.”

Dr. Carolyn O'Hara, interim Chief Medical Laboratory Officer for Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) says Alberta has led the way nationally, and internationally, when it comes to testing for COVID-19

"We have one of the highest rates of testing per capita than almost anywhere in the world,” says O’Hara. “In addition, Alberta was the first province in Canada to have an online assessment tool which helps determine whether someone should be tested for COVID-19. This partnership with Spartan Bioscience is yet another example of AHS working proactively to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and protect Albertans.”

 

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